According to Sellers in "Sharps Firearms," Sharps manufactured approximately 6,400 Model 1874 sporting rifles in a variety of configurations between 1871 to 1880. The Sharps Model 1874 was considered one of the best firearms of the late 19th century American West and was famously used by professional buffalo hunters, pioneers, and guides. They were highly valued on the frontier, not only due to their firepower but because of their long range accuracy. Outside gunsmiths in the period used Sharps rifles as the basis for their own high end custom rifles, and this Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle has excellent work performed by Alfred Andrew Kellogg (1844-1910) of New Haven, Connecticut. "Leading Business Men of New Haven County" (1887) lists "A. A. Kellogg, Headquarters for Sportsmen's Goods, Nos. 506 State Street, and 3 Elm Street" and indicates that in 1867 he took over the shop founded by Duntzee & Jaynes in 1810. "Mr. Kellogg is a native of New Hartford, Connecticut, and has long been identified with New Haven, where he has built up a business, one of the largest of its kind in the State...He is also well known as an expert on guns and is familiar with every detail of the business." His shop was still advertised in "The Yale Literary Magazine" in May 1903. His brother Henry Kellogg patented a breechloader on May 20, 1862, and "Sharps Firearms: Early Metallic Cartridge Firearms and Model 1874 Sporting Rifles" notes he "may have been connected in some way with the Sharps Rifle Manufacturing Company..." A. A. Kellogg's work was of the highest quality, and he was also an accomplished shot himself. The Meriden Daily Republican on Jan. 24, 1870, reported that Kellogg shot five successive shots into one inch at 40 rods (220 yards). An ornate engraved A. A. Kellogg Sharps Model 1878 Borchardt rifle was sold by Rock Island Auction in September 2007, and Sharps expert Frank Sellers wrote: "Their work was of the highest quality and they received commissions from famous American and international customers." That rifle is pictured on page 221 of "Steel Canvas" by Wilson where the rifle is noted as engraved by Master Engraver L. D. Nimschke, and it is also shown on page 282 of Frank Sellers "Sharps Firearms" where Sellers notes "there are several of these Express Rifles made by Kellogg." We sold one other Model 1878 more recently in August 2023, but Kellogg rifles rarely become available. The lock of this beautiful Sharps Model 1874 rifle has a deeply relief engraved oval logo that reads "-A. A.KELLOGG-NEW-HAVEN, CONN." surrounding a diamond marked "MAKER" as well as fine flourishes of floral scroll engraving and is fitted with a more refined hammer with a scroll design, borders, and finely knurled spur. The part octagon barrel is marked on the top flat with the boxed "Old Reliable" ahead of the rear sight, the Sharps Bridgeport address concealed beneath the rear sight, "CAL. 45" on top of the chamber area, and "2 1/10" on the right of the chamber area indicating chambering for .45-70 Government. It has a dovetailed Rocky Mountain type German silver blade front sight and dovetailed elevation adjustable buckhorn notch rear sight, and the rifle is fitted with a highly figured extra fancy walnut checkered forearm and checkered pistol grip buttstock with German silver escutcheons for the wedge on the forearm and a shotgun type blued steel buttplate.

Very fine with 95% blue finish on the barrel with a plum hue, 60% plus vivid case colors with smooth brown patina and minor surface freckling on the balance, and sharp lock engraving. The buttplate has a faded blue appearance with some scattered minor pitting. Wood is very fine with highly attractive fancy grain, a professional repair visible at the checkered area on bottom of the pistol grip, a few scattered light handling marks, and crisp checkering and edges. Mechanically excellent. This exceptional A. A. Kellogg Sharps Model 1874 sporting rifle would add volume to any antique American arms collection!